Tim Bolt | Madisonville, Louisiana, USA | 01/15/2000
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I bought this CD blindly from a music club, not knowing what I was getting. It was one of the best risks I've ever taken. The songwriting is superlative! Amazing insights into human character (or characters!)and very beautiful songs. I cried like a baby the first time I listened to "Part of Your Own" ... over and over again for an hour straight; it captured my feelings towards my own mother. I also love "The Mortal Grove" and "Edgar the Party Man." I've known many "Edgars" in my time. These songs seem to identify and beautifully describe unarticulated observations and moods that we all experience."
Love is the Reason
Nanci | Tri-Cities, WA USA | 05/21/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The song on this CD that captivated me was "Two Good Reasons." In just a few simple words, John shows us the Meaning of Life and the reasons for keeping on keeping on. John Gorka is an incredible lyricist, writes songs with substance, humor and that are downright pleasin' to the ear. Any John Gorka CD is worth the listen, and this one is worth it for that one song. Listen closely to the words."
More crystal-clear sketches from the poet laureate of folk
Nanci | 08/16/1998
(5 out of 5 stars)
"John Gorka delivers again with a dozen brilliant folk masterpieces. long time devotees of gorka will be pleased; new fans will be won over, if they only give him a listen. gorka again borrows john jennings from mary-chapin carpenter, to good effect, both as co-producer and as instrumentalist. as veteran fans know, gorka alternates between heartfelt songs that'll break your heart or that touch deep truths, and clever wordplay on lighthearted tunes. of the former, deeper variety are "blue chalk", a story of desperation, "two good reasons," a straight-up love song, and, most compelling to me, "part of your own," a heartfelt ode to his mother (gorka fans know that he had previously written several songs for his dad; this is the first tune he wrote for his mom). in the latter, lighter mode, are "can't make up my mind," "airstream bohemians," ("he was the kind to look for work, although not the kind to find it...") and "edgar the party man," a cautionary tale of a man who can't quite seem to handle the commitment thing. if you're a long-time gorka fan, you probably already have it. if your collection so far has not been enriched by the bard from new jersey, this is a fine introduction to gorka, a mature work that adequately covers both his myrth and his muse."
Simply a Great CD
coudy13@hotmail.com | Coudersport, PA | 12/10/1999
(5 out of 5 stars)
"The songs vary from upbeat to soulful, but they always have something to say to the listener. I feel "Part of Your Own" is an absolutely beautiful expression of a son's feelings and worth the price of the CD by itself, but not, by any means the only song worth listening to on this outstanding effort. Warm is exactly the right way to describe Gorka's voice as he makes you feel the emotions of the songs he has chosen for this album."